Transportable dock



Sept. 22, 1953 J MELGEs 2,652,694

TRANSPORTABLE DOCK Filed Jan. '7, 1950 INVENTOR FrederLck J. Melges QQDM ORNEY Patented Sept. 22, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TRAN SPORTABLE DOCK Frederick J. Melges, Battle Creek, Mich. Application January 7, 1950, Serial No. 137,441

8 Claims. 1

The present invention relates broadly to dock assemblies, and in its specific phases to an improved sectional dock utilizing a special form of adjustable supporting assembly.

Boat docks, such as are used at lake cottages, are very commonly of a relatively makeshift construction wherein temporary posts are driven in place out in the lake and either cross tied in pairs, with planks extending from pair to pair, or have side rails nailed to same, and a deck of cross boards nailed to the top of said rails. Where a more permanent but removable dock is to be installed, same is commonly made with the deck in sections adapted to be bolted end to end, during installation, and set on spaced wooden horses. With that construction, when the season ends. the deck sections are unbolted, one by one, and carried in and stored along with the wooden horses. This is a slow and undesirable job due to at least one of those persons dismantling the dock having to stand for a considerable period of time in cold water while the unbolting and removal are being taken care of. Moreover, docks made in this manner are not easily adjustable to make the upper face of the deck substantially Straight and level at the beginning of the season, nor is it easy to adjust same during the season should it settle at any of the deck joints.

In the copending patent application of Hugh Myers and myself, Ser. No. 21,158, filed April 15, 1948, Patent No. 2,564,123, we set forth an improved dock which overcame many of the general difiiculties set forth above. Since that time I have discovered ways of producing a still further improved dock which has rotary boat bumpers and is more easily adjusted and locked against accidental disengagement, and the present invention covers those improvements. It' was a knowledge of the aforementioned difficulties and shortcoming of the prior art, and a recognition of the need of further improvements, which led to the conception and development of the present invention.

Accordingly among the objects of the present invention is the provision of an adjustable and readily dismountable dock which has roller bumpers to protect boats tied to or moving along same.

Another object is to provide support assemblies support assemblies which are adjustable for height, and each of which has at least one 'separately adjustable leg member. 1

1 To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawing and the following description setting forth in detail certain means for carrying out the invention, such disclosed means illustrating, however, but several ofthe various ways in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In the annexed drawing:

Figure 1 shows a partially broken away top assembly view of a preferred form of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the construction illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows an end view of one of the dock supporting assemblies with a deck section mounted on same for clarity of understanding I the invention.

Figure 4 showsan enlarged fragmentary side view of the end of a deck section made in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 5 shows a fragmentary end view of the deck section illustrated in Figure 4.

Figure 6 shows a fragmentary side view of the top portion of a support assembly having the ends of two deck sections mounted thereon.

Figure 7 shows a fragmentary end view of the support assembly and deck illustrated in Figure 6.

Figure 8 shows an enlarged front View of a roller assembly mounted on a fragmentary portion of a deck section.

Figure 9 shows a side view of the assembly illustrated in Figure 8.

Referring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawing, it will be noted that the present invention deals with a special form of deck assembly adapted to be anchored at the shore line, for instance by means of a concrete anchor block I which has extending deck mounting plates 2 projecting from the'front face of same at suitable spacings. The dock itself utilizes one or more deck sections 3 having side rails d and preferably a center rail 5. Mounted on top of these rails is any suitable type of decking such for instance as suitably spaced cross boards 6 fastened in place in conventional manner.

On the outer face of each corner of a deck section 3 is mounted a connecting assembly '1, Figures 4 and 5. This assembly has a bracket member 8 which extends down the side of a side rail d and then under same to provide adequate support. This bracket is fastened to the side rail in conventional manner such as by means 3 of screws 9. Projecting outward from bracket member 8, is a headed member such as a rivet Ill; Loosely mounted on this headed member 10 is a hook ended locking member H, the use of which will be hereinafter described.

The supporting of the dock sections, aside from the shore anchored end of the first section, is accomplished by means of adjustable support assemblies 12, Figure 3. These support assemblies utilize an upper framework 13 which telescopes into a lower framework H and i anchorable therein at various elevations by means of set screws 15. The upper framework utilizes a cross bar [6 welded or otherwise fastened at its ends to a pair of substantially parallel tubular members ll and I8. At the center of cross member 16 there may be provided on its upper face, a support member it on which the adjacent ends of the center rails of two deck sections 3 may rest. Mounted on the inner face of each of the tubular members H and I8 as by welding or the like, is a deck mounting plate 2 which is provided in its upper edge adjacent its ends with a pair of slots 26 and 2!, Figure 6. These slots are preferably of a width slightly larger than the diameter of the extending body of headed members [9 of connecting assembly i.

The lower framework H of the adjustable support assembly i2 utilizes a pair of tubular members 22 and 23 which are of a size to closely but telescopically receive tubular members I? and it of upper framework 13. Set screws 1 5 threadedly engage tubular members 22 and-23 adjacent their upper ends so as to facilitate adjusting the upper framework l3 to desired elevation before anchoring same in place by means of the set screws. Tubular members 22 and 23 are joined in suitable spaced relation by means of a cross bar 24 welded or otherwise conventionally fastened to them. On the lower end of tubular member 22 is welded or otherwise suitably fastened a ground plate 25, from the bottom of which extends a ground piercer 2t. Tubular member 23 has telescopically fitting the lower end of same a tubular extension member 21 which is anchorable in various positions by means of a set screw 28 which threadedly engages tubular member 23 adjacent its lower end. Mounted on the bottom of tubular extension member 27 is a ground plate 25 and a ground piercer 26. These ground plates provide support for the assembly while the ground piercers act to hold the bottom of the assembly in substantially fixed position under conditions of use. This adjustable tubular extension memher 2'. makes possible the sidewise leveling of the dock when the bottom surface of the lake slopes sidewise from the direction in which the dock is set up. It does not matter in which direction the lake bottom slopes since the adjustable support assembly I2 can be turned either side to with the extension member on the deep side of the dock, and the support assembly It will still identically fit the deck sections 3 to be mounted thereon.

The supporting assembly at the free end of the dock will preferably have the outer end of deck mounting plates 2 cut away so as to form plates 2c, Figures 1 and 2. This eliminates projecting sharp ends which might cause personal injury as well as damage to boats or the like coming in contact with same.

When boats are tied along the side of a dock and the weather gets rough, there is always the tendency for a boat to get partially washed under the deck of the dock and if the deck was not positively anchored to the dock supports, the rising and falling of the boat might disengage a dock section and allow it to drop into the lake. To avoid this situation, the connecting assemblies 7, Figures l and 5, are provided with a locking member H which is swung back out of the way when the deck sections are being mounted on the deck mounting plates and as soon as that mounting is completed the locking members H are turned down to the position shown in enlargeddetail in Figures 6 and 7, where they hook under the deck mounting plates 2 and positively lock the deck sections against separation from the supporting assemblies.

There is always danger of injury to or chafing of a boat against the side of a dock and to avoid this a special roller type boat bumper is .provided. This boat bumper assembly 29, Figures 8 and 9, is provided with a substantially U-shaped frame member 3!! which is provided on its back face with a rigidly anchored downturned hook 3| at its upper end with such hook being of a size adapted to pass between the cross boards 6 of the deck and engage the back face of side rail 4. Adjustably mounted as by means of a longitudinal slot (not shown) in frame member 30, is a bracket 32 which is adapted to engage the bottom and back face of side rail 4, and be firmly held that position by means of bolt 33. The outwardly projecting arms 34 and 35 of U-shaped member so are cross drilled substantially in alignment for the reception of bolts or lag screws 35 which extend into the ends of roller 37. This roller is preferably covered with rubber, canvas, or the like, which will prevent'serious chafing of a boat restin in contact with same. For most purposes roller 37 will be approximately in the range of 18 to 24 inches long and preferably will extend from the top of the dock deck down a' short distance into the water. Several of these boat bumper assemblies will ordinarily be used on each side of a dock at suitable spacings and in the area where boats would normally be fastened.

To assemble one of these docks it is only necessary to turn locking members ll upward on the shore end of a deck section, and then engage headed members it with the deck mounting plates 2 extending from the concrete anchor block i. Turning these locking members H down anchors the first deck section in place at its shore end, and the first adjustable support assembly 12 is then mounted on the shore bottom at the free end of the deck section and adjusted, with the deck locked in place on same, both for lengthwise level and sidewise slope to get the desired position. This same procedure is carried on with the addition of further deck sections and supporting assemblies for them. After the dock is thus up and anchored in placathe boat bumper assemblies 2i! are mounted in desired location, and anchored, thus completing the dock aside from the addition of accessories such as a ladder, bench, boat stakes, boat well, etc. In order to protect the metal parts of the dock, they are preferably given a heavy coat of galvanizing which thus produces an assembly adapted for long and satisfactory use.

The disassembling of these docks is a relatively simple and rapid procedure since it is only necessary to unhook the deck sections, one by one, starting at the free end of the dock, and carry them to storage along with the supporting assemblies. If desired the boat bumper assemblies can be removed either before or after the dock is taken in, or they can be left in place ready for the next seasonal use of the dock.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of those explained, change being made as regards the apparatus herein disclosed, provided the means stated be any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. In a dock, the combination which includes at least one supporting assembly, said supporting assembly having upper and lower frameworks, said upper framework having a pair of upright members and a cross member for rigidly joining them together, said lower framework having a pair of upright members and a cross member for joining them together, means for releasably anchoring the upright members of said upper and lower frameworks together in various adjusted positions relative to each other, an extension member on the lower end of at least one of the uprights of said lower framework, and means for releasably anchoring said extension member in various adjusted positions relative to the upright member on which it is mounted.

2. In a clock, the combination which includes at least one supporting assembly, said supporting assembly having upper and lower frameworks, said upper framework having a pair of upright members and a cross member for rigidly joining them together, said lower framework having a pair of upright members and a cross member for joining them together, means for releasably anchoring the upright members of said upper and lower frameworks together in various adjusted positions relative to each other, an extension member on the lower end of one of the uprights of said lower framework, means for releasably anchoring said extension member in various adjusted positions relative to the upright member on which it is mounted, a ground plate on the lower end of said extension member, a ground plate on the lower end of said lower framework upright member which does not have the extension member mounted thereon, and a ground piercer extending from the bottom of each of said ground plates in a direction substantially parallel to said uprights.

3. In a dock, the combination which includes at least one supporting assembly, said supporting assembly having upper and lower frameworks, said upper framework having a pair of substantially parallel tubular uprights with a cross member rigidly joining them together, said lower framework having a pair of substantially parallel tubular uprights with a cross member rigidly joining them together, said tubular uprights of the framework being telescopable with said tubular uprights of the upper framework, gripping means for releasably anchoring the telescoped members together in various adjusted positions relative to each other, a tubular extension member telescopically fitting the lower end of one of the uprights of said lower framework, means for releasably anchoring said extension member in various adjusted positions relative to the upright tubular member on which it is mounted, a ground plate on the lower end of said extension member, a ground plate on the lower end of said lower framework upright tubular member which does not have the extension member mounted thereon, and a ground piercer extending from the bottom of each of said ground plates in a direction substantially parallel to said uprights.

4. In a dock assembly having at least one deck section with longitudinal outer side rails, said side rails having a mounting means on their ends with a headed anchor member projecting sidewise therefrom, a supporting assembly for supporting the end of said deck section, said supporting assembly having upper and lower frameworks, said upper framework having a pair of upright members and a cross member for rigidly joining them together, a deck mounting plate on the inner face of each of said uprights adjacent the upper end of same, each of said deck mounting plates having a notched upper edge for receiving and holding said headed anchor member of each of said mounting means, said lower framework having a pair of upright members and a cross member for rigidly joining them together, means for releasably anchoring the upright members of said frameworks together in various adjusted positions relative to each other, an extension member on the lower end of at least one of the uprights of said lower framework, and means for releasably anchoring said extension member in various adjusted positions relative to the upright member on which it is mounted.

5. In a dock assembly as set forth in claim 4, wherein there is a ground plate on the lower end of said extension member, a ground plate on the lower end of said lower framework upright member which does not have the extension member mounted thereon, and a ground piercer extending from the bottom of each of said ground plates in a direction substantially parallel to said uprights.

6. In a dock assembly as set forth in claim 4, wherein the uprights of said upper and lower frameworks and extension member are substantially parallel, tubular, and telescope one into the other.

7. In a dock assembly as set forth in claim 4, wherein the uprights of said upper and lower frameworks and extension member are substantially parallel, tubular, and telescope one into the other, a ground plate on the lower end of said extension member, a ground plate on the lower end of said lower framework upright which does not have said extension member mounted thereon, and a ground piercer extending from the bottom of each of said ground plates in a direction substantially parallel to said uprights.

8. In a dock assembly as set forth in claim 4, wherein the mounting means on the ends of the deck side rails includes a hook ended locking member pivotally mounted on the headed anchor member and adapted to engage the corresponding deck mounting plate and releasably lock the deck section against disengagement from the deck supporting assembly.

FREDERICK J. MELGES.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 876,170 Grant Jan. 7, 1908 1,358,951 Helmich Nov. 16, 1920 1,912,049 Voorhees May 30, 1933 2,044,703 Kline June 16, 1936 2,391,612 Baker Dec. 25, 1945 2,564,123 Melges Aug. 14, 1951 

